The teacher who taught a 12-year-old girl who was the victim of a fatal school shooting in Dublin has been ordered to remain in prison after she pleaded guilty to the murder of her daughter.
Key points:Barry McGovern was a former principal at St Columba’s School in Dublin for 12 yearsHe pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of his daughter, who was shot dead at the school in August 2016He was ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence at St. Columba`s, and has until January 2017 to comply with that orderJudge Michael McGovern told Barry McGovern in a court statement that he has no confidence in his ability to continue teaching in a public school.
Mr McGovern, who also served as a teacher at St Peter’s Primary School, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Court to murdering his daughter and leaving her to die in a car.
He said he has since “learned much from this experience” and “truly regrets what I did”.
“I am sorry for what I have done,” he said.
“I was blinded by the power of the media.
I have come to realise that the press can control a situation but they cannot take away what the parents and community believe.”
Barry’s son Michael, who attended the court hearing with his father, told the court that his father had been “a fantastic teacher” who had “learnied a lot” from his experience at the Catholic school.
“The first year is over for me and I am very, very sad,” Michael McDonagh said.
Mr MacDonagh is to remain jailed until January 2020.
He is not facing a retrial.
The case against Mr McDongh has been adjourned until January 2021.
He was due to be sentenced on Wednesday, but the court later suspended his sentence until further notice.
Mr Justice Martin O’Leary told Mr McGovern that he was required to follow the sentencing orders handed down at the hearing.
He also imposed an order for him to pay a $20,000 fine and to complete 100 hours of community service.
In a statement released to the media, the school board said it was disappointed in the decision.
Barry was a respected and well-loved teacher at the St Columban`s School in St Columbas Road. “
We wish to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the victims and our thoughts are with the family of the victim at this time.”
Barry was a respected and well-loved teacher at the St Columban`s School in St Columbas Road.
Barry`s legacy will live on in the memory of all his students and staff.